Posted on September 4, 2006 | Tags: General
Steve Irwin, aged 44, died this morning after being fatally injured while filming a nature documentary off Queensland.
The news has shocked the nation and prompted a rush of tributes from politicians and the public alike.
Irwin’s wife Terri was in Tasmania at the time of the tragedy and had to be contacted by police with the terrible news.
The couple’s daughter Bindi, 8, was with her father in north Queensland, Irwin’s manager John Stainton said from Cairns.
Choking back tears, Mr Stainton said Irwin had gone “over the top of a stingray and a stingray’s barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heartâ€.
“He possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don’t think that he … felt any pain.â€
Professional diver Pete West was on board a nearby boat and was asked by Irwin’s team to call in the emergency.
Asked on Australia’s Channel 7 if Irwin was alive when they got him on his own boat, Mr West said: “I believe so.â€
“He was doing what he did best and unfortunately today he wasn’t quick enough.”
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